NEC Sworn States Officials
King New 11 July Juba-South Sudan National Election Commission (NEC) has, on Thursday, sworn in 50 States High Election Committee Members.
The swearing-in ceremony at the magnificent Aida International Hotel in Juba was presided over by South Sudan Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the presence of the Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro and Political Parties Registrar Chairperson James Akol Zakayo
The affirmed state committees’ members comprised Election Chairpersons, deputies, and three other members.
The committee’s tasks in the states will include identifying voting centers and launching pre-election activities, according to NEC Chairperson Abednego Akok.
“Right now, they will return to their States to implement the acts, starting with civic education and followed by voters’ registrations. This gives the opportunity to identify voters’ registration Centers in their States,” He said
Professor Abednego urged the officials to execute their duties legally and according to South Sudan’s amended election acts.
“Take up this national responsibility as specified by law because we are applying the law and the comprehensive peace agreement.”
Meanwhile, the Chairperson for the Political Parties Council (PPC), James Akol Zakayo, urged the new officials to be neutral and independent in executing their roles to deliver a credible, transparent, and fair election.
Akol impulse neutrality on the state officials and discouraged them from sympathizing with either side of the coin during the anticipated democratic exercise
“There is a big task that awaits you ahead, and it is the people’s right. You are there, as you have taken oath today, you are expected to be neutral,” he stated
“There is a big issue in this country that people don’t differentiate between a political affiliate and sympathizer. If you are a sympathizer from today, kindly press the new cord, such that the results that will be given will be credible, free, and fair,” Akol added
On his part, the Cabinet Affairs Minister encouraged the National Election body to be firm in their role
“You must recognize that for you to be given this duty of administering democracy in South Sudan, first I will say you are lucky. Two, I will say you are not lucky because you’re going to change and change drastically. You must change your character,” Lomuro
The NEC Chairperson did not explain why the three administrative areas were excluded from the exercise but promised to engage them soon.